Father I love you. Test

33.1 The way of the Lord.
Your Highness, you have certainly learned by now not to have anything to do with Rulers and Devourers. By personal choice, they do not participate in restoring creation for the glory of their heavenly Father. They do not value the Other for God's sake. The Kingdom of God has nothing in common with Rulers and Devourers. Rulers and Devourers are enemies of the Kingdom, seeking not only to destroy it, but to destroy it in any way at any cost. When we read John 8:1-11 (the episode of the adulterous woman), we see quite vividly the sinister purposes of Rulers and Devourers, and how far they are prepared to go.

John tells us that at daybreak, "Jesus appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, 'Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning. What have you to say? They asked him this as a test, looking for something to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger.

As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, 'If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her'. Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again.

When they heard this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?'
'No one sir' she replied.
'Neither do I condemn you,' said Jesus. 'Go away, and don't sin anymore.'"

Who reigns in the hearts of these scribes and Pharisees? What were the fruits of their words? What were the fruits of Jesus' words? These visible signs (words/fruits) will identify the presence of the invisible Monarch, Ruler or Devourer in this confrontation between Darkness and Light.

The scribes and the Pharisees were jealous of Jesus. Our dear Lord was so disgusted with them, He called them vipers (1) and whitewashed tombs. (2) The Pharisees joined forces with the Sadducees to cause Jesus' condemnation and were not persons who are simply interested in discussing religious matters with Jesus. Let's look at the text once more.

"At daybreak Jesus appeared in the Temple again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus, 'Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn woman like this to death by stoning.'"

By addressing Jesus as Master, they attempt to imply a certain propriety by association, thus legitimizing a right to discuss, to talk together, to share in matters of common concern. Notice it is the same approach ("Moses has ordered us . . .") used by the Serpent with Eve; "Did God not say . . .?"

Listening to the Scribes and Pharisees, one has the feeling that something is wrong here. We feel uneasy. The odor of entrapment is in the air.

"With tongues as sharp as serpents, with vipers' venom on their lips," (3) they put forth their legal arguments. They use Moses, the Law, and those present as justification and witnesses for their case- to have this person stoned to death. Jesus, as an authority on the Law, would have to agree with them. Then, everyone would know that they were the custodians of the Law, and that even this Jesus must respect their knowledge and application of it.

These signs reveal these scribes and Pharisees for what they really are- murderers. Under the guise of the Law, they are ready to have a person stoned to death for their personal gain (saving face and reputation) and for getting this Jesus off their backs. Remember what the focus of the Devourer was in the Kingdom of Satan? Use of Others to satisfy self. As such, they now clearly identify themselves with the Murderer Satan. (4) The Evil One dwells in their hearts.

Having presented Jesus with the facts, they now come to the moment of their sweet delight. It is time for that gentle shove that will end this Jesus, once and for all. The law was stated. The evidence was presented. The accused was found guilty. All that remained was the execution, to be confirmed by Jesus.

Jesus lowers His head, leisurely He writes in the sand. A delegate clothed in black turns and faces Him. His condemning mouth slowly transforms into a tight grin. His denouncing eyes take on a fiery sparkle. From his brow surfaces a frown of vain defiance. His back and shoulders straighten. His bearded chin juts forward heralding the arrival of their terminal blow. He tries to be bold and authoritative, but is troubled by a nagging doubt. He opens his mouth and slowly, very slowly, the Question slithers forth, "What have you to ssssssay?" he asks the Nazarene.

Jesus does not reply. Everyone is shackled in an apocalyptic silence. Time stands still– Heaven and earth watch and wait. Suddenly the delegation engages in an abrupt and hasty consultation. Thinking they now have Jesus in a corner where legally He cannot disagree with them, they have no intention of letting Him off this easy. He must not be allowed to shelter himself in silence. He must bleed His defeat on their legislative cross by vocally agreeing with them. Everyone must hear. Everyone must know that they are right, that they are the legal custodians of the Law, not this Jesus and his teachings. Everyone must now see that He cannot be trusted. St. John tells us they persisted with their question.

They flaunt their case in front of the crowd. Like wild dogs, they attack Jesus barking scripture right and left. Moses' name is thrown about. They shout tradition and the Law, quoting all kinds of legal precedence. At long last they have this Jesus exactly where they want Him. In their hearts, they can taste His blood. After all, doesn't His silence confirm this? In anticipation of the kill, there's a final moment of hysteria. Then, Jesus looks up. 

Everyone hushes. 

An ominous, prophetic silence corrals their senses. Foreboding fills their hearts. Looking into the very depths of their souls, He calmly tells them, "If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Then he bends down and writes on the ground again. 

I suspect the only reason Jesus bothered talking with these people at all was to save the life of this poor woman. Respecting the law, respecting tradition and respecting the church, Jesus looked at them and said, "If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

In spite of their venomous maliciousness, he succeeds in neutralizing their satanic aspirations without condemnation, without telling them what they were doing was wrong. Indeed, their very own legal arguments will now openly condemn them. They will now personally and publicly confess that not one of them is without sin in spite of their knowledge, their rank, their pretenses and their assumed stature. It will be a public confession. By His words, Jesus revealed himself as a peacemaker, as one who values life, as one who lives by the truth and as one who respects order and authority. These are all visible signs of the presence of the Kingdom of God.

They are speechless, flabbergasted and completely disarmed, all in the wink of an eye. Confusion fills their hearts. Our brother Saint John tells us, that beginning with the eldest they all left. That must have been quite a procession. I leave it up to you, my dear reader, to see their humiliating withdrawal- the rage and confusion that was consuming their hearts.

St. John then tells us that the woman remained standing there. Everyone has left. Jesus and her are alone. Peace and quiet have replaced the clamorous crowd. I can visualize this terrified soul not wanting to leave Jesus with whom she feels so safe and secure. He is powerful. His few simple words, confused, silenced and dispersed her would be murderers. She says nothing against her accusers, nor does she laugh or ridicule them for having been put in their place. One can see her standing in silence, a sort of innocence and simplicity that values truth and honesty. Obviously she is not a threat to anyone. Her passiveness reveals the presence of a simple, trusting heart.

Jesus asks her, "Has no one condemned you?" 
"No one, sir," she replies. 
"Neither do I condemn you," he says. "Go away, and sin no more." 
Our dear Lord does not tell her, what she did was wrong, He simply says, "Go away, and sin no more."

Your Highness, it is not acceptable that persons who live in the Kingdom of God condemn others. Jesus will never condemn us. He tells us, "for every unfounded word men utter they will answer on judgment day, since it is by your words you will be acquitted and by your words condemned." (5) He tells her to sin no more. It's over. It's time to start anew. The future is yours again.

What was the fruit of Jesus' words? Preservation of life, order, justice, peace, calm, respect for God, respect for the Other. Respect for the spirit and the letter of the Law, respect for the Prophets, forgiveness, resurrection and new life. These signs reveal the presence of Love, of God. Jesus' words give life. They resurrect the other. They understand and they forgive. They reveal the presence of the Kingdom of God.

What fruit came forth from the words of the scribes and the Pharisees? Using the weapons of deceit, hypocrisy, entrapment and others, they tried to use the law to crucify Jesus' reputation. They tried to embarrass, mock and ridicule Him, at the expense of the life of another. They did all of this for their personal gain. These are the signs that reveal the presence of the Kingdom of Satan.

Your Highness, have nothing to do with Rulers and Devourers. There will be times, however, when you must respond (as in this instance where the life of another is at risk). When that happens, ask our dear Lord to tell you what to say. Jesus tells us that "the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you." (6)

Remember your Highness, whether you are with prince or pauper, whether you are reading the newspaper or watching television, you can always identify the person (spirit) speaking to you by the words that come out of the mouth of that person, of that spirit. The Monarch (Kingdom of God) is identified by words that give Life and creativity to Others. The Ruler (Kingdom of Man) is identified by words that use Others for his or her project, sterilizing and paralyzing their life and creativity. The Devourer (Kingdom of Satan) is identified by words that feed on Others for his or her own self-gratification, in effect devouring them.

Your Highness, have nothing to do with Rulers and Devourers. Your blessed heritage is, "to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of your life, to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh and to consult with Him in His Temple." (7)

33.2 The bottom-line.
Families today (as always) have to live side by side with abuse of power, hatred, and violence. The question is often asked:
"What can we do to survive?" 
"What can we do to protect our children?" 
"How can we live our lives as Children of God in this terrible environment?" 
"We're outnumbered. It's hopeless."

Yes, without the Holy Spirit it is hopeless, but, "Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit aplenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing." (8)

As Jesus does what He sees His Father do, we too must do what we see our dear Lord do. As the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, so must He also proceed from the Son and You, that together you may be One. Otherwise, we and those near and dear to us will be devoured by the evil and hatred that surrounds us- the same evil and the same hatred that surrounded the woman and Jesus in this wonderful episode. Thank God for these revelations.

1. In this narrative, a gang of scribes and Pharisees approached Jesus, bringing a woman they wanted to stone to death in accordance with the Law. They taunt the Son of God trying to make Him an accomplice to their little game. This is about as evil, cruel and violent as you can get, and these were persons in power, persons with authority. Yet Jesus is very calm, seemingly oblivious to what is going on. Why shouldn't He be? He is God. Who is going to outsmart God?

You and your family (all of God's own) will also be subject to such similar attacks from Hell- Either through bad examples, bad leaders, bad television, bad social values or out and out confrontation like Jesus was subjected to so many times.

As long as you are Christ's faithful subject, in Him, with Him and through Him, remain calm. God is with you and no one is going to outsmart you- one of His beloved children, you who are a member of His mystical Body, you who have been made God's child, you who have received a crown and the treasures of the Kingdom, you who are accompanied and counseled by the Holy Spirit. Do not even think that the Scribes and Pharisees of our day will be able to trick you anymore than they could Jesus our King. Stay with Jesus. He will never abandon you.

2. Jesus does not respond to these attacks from the Darkness. Have nothing to do with evil persons. Because a person's life was in danger, Jesus finally answered calmly and with a few words that completely disarmed them and saved a life. When a similar situation confronts you, take your cue from the Holy Spirit, and let God's words come forth from your mouth and, like your King, disarm those who would cause harm to others. Remember the gift of wisdom you received at baptism? "I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict." (9)

3. Jesus then spoke to the woman and, again, with words from God's mouth said, "Go away, and sin no more." There was no right and wrong to be preached here. He said, "Go away, and sin no more." In Him, with Him and through Him, with words from God's mouth, we can embrace the intended victim and liberate that person from the chains that bind him or her.

4. Where there was hatred, evil and violence, where a life was to be taken, where God was going to be used by others, Jesus restored peace and order. The Kingdom of God became visible to everyone there that day. And so it must also be with you, with your ministry, at home, at work, at play or at Church. Through you in Christ Jesus, the Kingdom of God must be made visible to reveal and dispel the hatred, violence and evil that seek to destroy your spouse, your children, the weak, the innocent, the helpless and the abandoned. There is no other way. "Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit aplenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing." (10)

God bless you.

Footnotes.
1 Matthew 3:7

2 Matthew 23:27

3 Psalm 140:3.

4 John 8:44.

5 Matthew 12:37.

6 John 14:25-26.

7 Psalm 27:4.

8 John 15:5.

9 Luke 21:15.

10 John 15:5